Highly active Pt–Pd alloy catalyst for oxygen reduction reaction in buffer solution

Structure-controlled metallic catalysts have been well known to exhibit an improved electrocatalytic activity due to modulated surface structures favourable for electrochemical reactions. We synthesize octahedral Pt–Pd nanoparticles reducing metal ions with glycerol as a reducing agent in an aqueous solution. The octahedral Pt–Pd nanoparticles exhibit dominant {111} facets with homogeneous alloy formation between Pt and Pd atom. For oxygen reduction reaction in buffer solution, the octahedral Pt–Pd alloy electrocatalyst shows highly electro-catalytic activity.

► We synthesize octahedral Pt–Pd nanoparticles reducing metal ions with glycerol as a reducing agent.
► The octahedral Pt–Pd nanoparticles exhibit dominant {111} facets with alloy formation.
► The octahedral Pt–Pd alloy catalyst shows highly ORR catalytic activity in buffer solution.